Saturday, January 29, 2011

Upstairs, Downstairs...


So here you go! This stairway belongs to... the Plaza Athénée Hotel, where I also took yesterday's photo. I spent a few hours there, and was lucky enough to visit some of the best parts of the hotel, including the bar, the Dior institute, the wine cellar and... the kitchen (I did not get to meet 3 star chef Alain Ducasse though, but head chef Christophe Saintagne...) an its dozens of cooks. It was a delightful moment needless to say, especially since it weren't for Paris Daily Photo (and you, my dear visitors!) I would have never had the chance to see and experience all this. As always, when I visit an exceptional place I took several photos, you can see a selection of them in the little Animoto at the top of the right column of this blog. Have a great weekend.

35 comments:

  1. So, if we say Eric sent us do we get the PDP rate? ;-

    What a beautiful place.

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  2. not only are you a great photographer, but it seems that you are quiet the music video editor. very cool. bon weekend a toi aussi.

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  3. Well, Eric, you are there for us every day—so I'm glad you get something out of it too (which, of course, you give right back—love the animoto!). What must it be like to stay at such a grand place, I wonder?

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  4. So, did they ask you to review the hotel for PDP? Is Ducasse one of the "Anonymous" commenters? Come on, tell us the link here...

    I love the staircase.

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  5. Very nice photo....I've always wanted to walk in there. My favorite show Sex in the City had its final episode set there (although not sure if really filmed there). It looks beautiful. Thanks for the daily taste of Paris. It warms my cold Minnesota heart - we are in a for a cold weekend.

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  6. Parisian staircases are always beautiful, but this one is absolutely stunning.

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  7. excelente photo, it seems an abstract art!!!

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  8. This is such an exciting and beautiful photo. Thank you for sticking your neck out to get it.

    So, how did PDP and your readers get you passage into the hotel for the marvelous tour. . . hmmmm?
    I'm off to view the Animoto film now,
    -Kim

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  9. OOooo, Christophe is dreamy!
    Loved your shots of le Tour through the ironwork and peeking into the wine cellar and all about.
    -Kim

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  10. I often visit your blog to look at your wonderful photos, but never tell you how much I love your work. Thank you very much for sharing Paris with us! This stairway is gorgeous.

    Bill

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  11. Delight! Love the animoto, too. Yes, please answer Kim's question for us all.

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  12. Lovely photo...and I realized after looking closely at the photo yesterday that it couldn't be the Crillon because the building across the street in the photo didn't exist there...so, Hôtel Plaza Athénée it is...Lee Radziwill's favorite and the setting for "Fauteuils d'Orchestre" great little French comedy!!


    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSaQ8q-Drdc

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  13. So most of us were wrong then. Go to the bottom of the class.

    Looks fabulous, and expensive!

    So, about this idea for a discounted rate for PDP followers...

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  14. Gorgeous!! And you were in Alain Ducasse's kitchen!! We thank you for the time and commitment you have to the PDP and the wonderful opportunities it affords you. This must be an absolutely gorgeous hotel if this is just the stairwell!

    Merci beaucoup, Eric!

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  15. You spent all that time there, and you WERE in the kitchen... I hope they gave you a bite of something, maybe a sip of wine to keep up your strength.

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  16. une magnifique expression de l'art abstrait à portée de main... ou de la carte de crédit...

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  17. What a fantastic opportunity. This photo is wonderful and I loved the Animoto.

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  18. What a wonderful view you had Eric (today's and yesterday's photos). I especially like the video. I've had the opportunity to visit a friend staying there once (maybe he'll comment), but don't remember all the places you've shown. Of course, I didn't get to the wine cellar or the kitchen either!

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  19. Oh yeah, quite a different kind of staircase from this one, but I love that photo too.

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  20. Sooooo!

    About the PDP rates. No, sorry, I don't have this power (yet?!). I wish I did though... But still. Bear in mind that - as an example - the "Collection d'hiver menu" by Alain Ducasse costs 360 € without wine. So even with a little PDP discount it would still cost the price of a return ticket to Paris from the US, so...

    @Alexa "What must it be like to stay at such a grand place, I wonder?" Me too!

    @Jeff and all the others who wonder. From time to time I get invitations to visit hotels, exhibitions, etc. from PR companies - or should I say "BR" companies as they specialize in bloggers' relations. The implicit deal is that I mention the place on PDP, but I have no obligations and - most important - I don't get paid for that, just a glass of Champagne sometimes... ;-)

    @TAB in Mpls I did not know that (about Sex in the City). I knew about the cold in Minnesota LOL!

    @Kim "OOooo, Christophe is dreamy!" LOL. I'm sure he'll be delighted to hear that.

    @Bill. Thank you very much!

    @Tonton "Hôtel Plaza Athénée it is...Lee Radziwill's favorite and the setting for "Fauteuils d'Orchestre" great little French comedy!!" YES! And I really love this movie.

    @Lily Hydrangea "I feel dizzy". I did too! As I suffer from vertigo!

    @Christie "Merci beaucoup, Eric!" You're welcome, but thank you for thanking me ;-)

    @Cyndi. " I hope they gave you a bite of something, maybe a sip of wine to keep up your strength." I surely did. You can see the Champagne we were offered in the kitchen in the Animoto and in the end a very unusual "gummy" cocktail.

    @Joëlle. LOL!

    @Michael "Of course, I didn't get to the wine cellar or the kitchen either!" And believe me they are worth the visit...

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  21. My daughter and I both love this photo. This would look great blown up and put on the wall

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  22. what a totally brilliant staircase shot and a wonderful Animoto.... Wish I could do something like that for my friends when I have been somewhere!!!
    What a wonderful way of sharing good times, thank you Eric!!!

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  23. Ahhh absolutely stunning in every sense of the word!! I remember while I was in Paris.My mom pointed out to me that this was the Plaza Athenee Hotel.We only saw the outside of it and it was stunning! I remember seeing all of the beautiful vibrant red flowers hanging off from the flower baskets.This is definitely one of the most beautiful hotel's I have ever seen in my life.I also remember seeing nothing but high end luxury cars parked infront.

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  24. what an amazing photo! But I agree...my head is spinning. I guess if you fell at least it would be a lovely and dramatic way to go. ;)

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  25. A fantastic photo! I have seen many similar beautiful staircases in various hotels - this one really stands out!

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  26. Love. Luxe. Gold. Candy. Rectangular snail. Slurp.

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